How do I manually align the print head on a Pixma ip4200? The link on Ian Carr's Sept 10 2014 query goes to another way to do automatic, not a manual alignment.

Using the custom settings and going to manually align thru that setting does nothing; the printer seems to remain in ready status. Manual alignment output per another site should take 3 pages of paper and print options to pick. I cannot trick the machine into doing this yet. HELP!

6 Suggested Answers

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Hi Luza,
A 5100 error is a carriage problem. That means it could be the code strip, carriage assembly or logic board.
First make sure nothing is keeping the print head from moving all the way across the printer. If the smallest thing blocks the head from going all the way across it will generate this error. You'll want to look hard for ANY obstructions anywhere. Throughly check the gears and rollers for obstructions too.
Second the code strip (or timing strip) is the 1/4 inch plastic strip that runs across the printer and through the head carriage. It's got supports on both sides. If becomes dislodged it will generate this error. (it's got a tesnsion spring on one end)
I have a feeling that is your problem. That somehow when you replaced the cartridges you may have dislodged the code strip. That might account for not being able to correctly align the print head too. Make sure it's straight, level and secure.
Also make sure it's not dirty. Grease or dirt on the code strip can generate a 5100 error. You can clean it with a damp cloth (water) but be careful if your going to remove it from it's anchors.
You can try cleaning the steele bar that the carriage runs across as well, but you'll have to lube it back up with a cloth dampened with some 3 in 1 oil or a light machine oil.
If none of that works and your ABSOLUTLY SURE there is nothing in there blocking the printer then it must be either the carriage assembly or logic board. If either is the problem you're going to need service on the unit or a new printer.
I hope this helps.
Please let me know how you make out,
Dude

The print head is the carriage that holds the ink cartridges and has tiny nozzles on the bottom that spray the ink on your paper. The nozzles have to be aimed (aligned) either automatically, or in WinXP with the following manual process:

1 Left click on the start button2 Open "Printers and faxes" on the Start menu. 3 Find your printer on the printer list and right click on it once. 4 Select "Properties" from the pop-up menu. 5 Click on the "Maintenance" tab at the top of the new window.

A selection page for all sorts of upkeep items is then shown. Manual alignment of the print head is one of the choices.

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Automatic Print Head alignment failed
Possible causes are as follows: A4 or Letter-sized paper is not loaded on the Auto Sheet Feeder.
Press the RESUME/CANCEL button on the printer to clear the error, then load one sheet of A4 or Letter-sized paper in the Auto Sheet Feeder.
Automatic print head alignment cannot be performed using paper from the Cassette. For automatic print head alignment, always load paper in the Auto Sheet Feeder.

Print Head nozzles are clogged.
Press the RESUME/CANCEL button on the printer to clear the error, and then print out the nozzle check pattern to examine the print head condition.

The Paper Output Slot has been exposed to a strong light source preventing correct Print Head alignment.
Press the RESUME/CANCEL button to clear the error and move the printer to a darker location.
After carrying out the above measures, if the problem continues after aligning the Print Head again, press the RESUME/CANCEL button to clear the error, and then perform manual print head alignment. For details on manual print head alignment, see "Manual Print Head Alignment."

Remove print head and mix 1 oz. ammonia to 180 degree 8 oz. hot water for 30 minutes.
Completely dry unit with air duster etc. and put back into machine.
Do a nozzle check and see if it gets better if so try a deep clean or redo step 1.
If no black a new print head is needed and I have one.

Reseating the print head is seldomly needed to be done.Press the Open Button (1) to open the Paper Output Tray (2) Raise the Scanning Unit until it stops. Pull and hold the Scanning Unit Lever towards you, then raise the Scanning Unit.The Print Head Holder moves to the middle Open the Inner Cover 1.Open the Inner Cover 2.CAUTION: a. Do not try to manually move or stop the Print Head Holder.b. Do not touch any metal parts.Press the ink tank's tab (1), then remove it from the slot (2) IMPORTANT:Handle ink tanks carefully to avoid staining clothing or the surrounding area. Lift up the lock lever and take out the print head.Again, place the print head back in position and press down the lock lever. Insert the ink tank into the empty slot on the print head. Press down
gently on the ink tank until an audible click is heard. Make sure the
ink tank is in the correct slot IMPORTANT:a. Make sure that the ink tank is inserted in the slot that corresponds to the ink tank's color.b. If the ink tank is inserted in the wrong slot, perform two head refreshings.Close the Inner Cover 2.Close the Inner Cover 1.Pull the Scanning Unit Lever towards you to close the Scanning Unit.Align the print head position after the print head is
installed. You can align the print head position either automatically or
manually. When automatic alignment does not work well, align the print
head position manually.Automatically Aligning The Print Head Position:Load A4-or letter-size plain paper in the paper support
tray. Auto alignment cannot be performed when the Feed Switch is set to
[CASSETTE].Press <Menu> epeatedly until [MAINTENANCE] appears.Press left or right arrow to select [AUTO HEAD ALIGN].Press <OK>. The print head position alignment pattern prints.Check the printed pattern. If the printed pattern matches the illustration, the print head position alignment is complete. Manually Aligning The Print Head Position:When automatic alignment does not work well, align the print head position manually.Load A4- or letter-size plain paper in the paper support or cassette.Select the paper source with <Feed Switch> button.Press <Menu> repeatedly until [MAINTENANCE] appears.Use left or right arrow to select [ALIGN PRINT HEAD].Press <OK>. A horizontal pattern is printed.Beginning from column A on the printout, enter checkmarks in the patterns that have the most solid image.(1): Bad example (Least solid box) 2): Good example (Most solid box) Press left or right arrow to select the pattern number that you checked in column A on the printout in step 6.A): Column(0): Select pattern number with most solid image Press <OK>.Repeat steps 7 and 8 to adjust columns B to L. When all
the horizontal patterns are adjusted, you will be prompted to print a
vertical pattern [PRINT VERT. PATTERN].Press left arrow. A vertical pattern is printed.Beginning from column M on the printout, enter checkmarks in the patterns that have the most solid image.(1): Bad example (Least solid box) 2): Good example (Most solid box) Press left or right arrow to select the pattern number that you checked in column M on the printout in step 11.Press <OK> Repeat steps 12 and 13 to adjust column N.

Inkjet printers need to be used frequently to prevent inkdrying out in the print head nozzles.If the print head cleaning maintenance routine does not clear the blockages,then print head needs replacing, but it may be expensive.It may be more cost effective to buy a later model and better printer thanreplace the print head.

Hello first of all are you technical
I have taken the printer head out
boil some water and pour in a cup
take off the 2 screws at the bottom
gentley open the head from the casing**** note if you not gentley it wil brake and U can through the hole head away
then let the white block lie in in the water until the water is cold the trough that out and repeat this step.Boil water again....Wait for 4 to 5 minutes to pass..... then use high copressed air and blow from the underneth so that the presure will force the **** out on the white block side also force some hot water from the litle sifes at the top down and make sure that holes are open
replace the ruber perfectley and the head pease an make sure every thing is propeley dry.Replase the scews .and put it back in the printer.Remember it is also a very filthey and inkey job.Good luck

Perform Print Head Alignment
Instructions
to perform a Print Head Alignment directly from the machine. If
diagrams or ruled lines are misaligned, print head alignment is
required. The print head alignment can be performed automatically or manually. If the automatic print head alignment does not work, adjust the print head manually.
Automatic Print Head Alignment

Press <ON/OFF> to turn on the machine.

Load a few sheets of letter-sized plain paper in the auto sheet feeder.

Press
the Open button to open the Paper Output Tray. Then open up and set the
extension by pressing down the hollow on the front side.

Execute automatic print head alignment.

Press <COPY> button.

Press <Menu> repeatedly to select [MAINTENACE].

Press
the left or right cursor to select [AUTO HEAD ALIGN], then press the
<OK>. (A pattern is printed and the print head is automatically
aligned. It takes about five minutes to finish printing the pattern.)

Perform Print Head Alignment
Instructions
to perform a Print Head Alignment directly from the machine. If
diagrams or ruled lines are misaligned, print head alignment is
required. The print head alignment can be performed automatically or manually. If the automatic print head alignment does not work, adjust the print head manually.
Automatic Print Head Alignment

Press <ON/OFF> to turn on the machine.

Load a few sheets of letter-sized plain paper in the auto sheet feeder.

Press
the Open button to open the Paper Output Tray. Then open up and set the
extension by pressing down the hollow on the front side.

Execute automatic print head alignment.

Press <COPY> button.

Press <Menu> repeatedly to select [MAINTENACE].

Press
the left or right cursor to select [AUTO HEAD ALIGN], then press the
<OK>. (A pattern is printed and the print head is automatically
aligned. It takes about five minutes to finish printing the pattern.)

1. Do you use refilled or genuine Canon cartridges?
2. Anyway, try to clean the printheads, because they seam to leak.
3. Verify if the cartridges are correct alignet (in maintenance software you have soewhere an "align cartridges" function